🔗 Share this article Czech 'Trumpist' PM-Elect Refuses to Sell Business Empire Amid Conflict-of-Interest Row Andrej Babiš, the self-styled billionaire who secured victory in last month's Czech election, has declined to offload his extensive corporate assets, while asserting he will address a ethical dilemma that might prevent him from taking the position of head of government. Position on Business Holdings Babiš, whose ANO party emerged victorious in the October election but did not secure a majority in parliament, declared in a online statement that he would not divest his Agrofert group, which operates in agriculture, food production, and chemical industries. “I have consistently said I will not sell Agrofert. I have consistently said I will address the conflict of interest in accordance with Czech and EU regulations,” the billionaire remarked. “This is not like selling a pastry in a bakery.” Head of State's Requirement The Czech president, Petr Pavel, stated that the 71-year-old political figure must publicly explain how he will eliminate ethical conflicts arising from his business activities before being appointed premier. The Czech constitution “clearly mandates the head of state to consider the potential occurrence of a conflict of interest and the possibilities for its resolution” when appointing government ministers, the presidential administration explained. The head of state “wants it to be clear in what specific way Andrej Babiš will fulfil his constitutional and legal obligations”, the announcement added, stating that Pavel was ready to appoint Babiš as prime minister “immediately” once the matter was resolved. Business Operations and Legal Concerns Babiš's several hundred companies, primarily under the Agrofert umbrella, function in the nation and other central European states, benefiting from substantial funds in domestic and European farming and other grants, as well as government deals. Under national legislation, government ministers are barred from receiving state support or agreements. The ethics watchdog Transparency International has indicated that to avoid a conflict of interest, Babiš must either divest, decline government deals, or not enter public office. Previous Term and Present Intentions Babiš affirmed he would “follow the regulations” if appointed as premier, but declined to detail how in beforehand because the issue was “an highly personal and personal matter for me, and the media will invariably question me anyway”. During his first term as premier, from 2017 to 2021, Babiš faced several court cases and an European inquiry over potential ethical issues. He placed his holdings into fiduciary arrangements, while keeping certain control over them. A court and the EU executive both ruled that this was insufficient. Babiš stated recently that he was once more the exclusive proprietor of Agrofert and maintained he was “taking steps” to avoid a conflict of interest, but refused to reveal details. Governing Deal and International Implications The wealthy politician has concluded a coalition agreement with two rightwing fringe parties, the far-right, Russia-friendly SPD, which has advocated a public vote on leaving the EU, and the Motorists for Themselves, which has mainly opposed the EU’s Green Deal. The new government, if approved, is expected to bolster the populist bloc in the region and could strain western support for Ukraine – although Babiš has contacted Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to assure him of Czech support. Pavel, who as president has a role for foreign policy, also requested that the government agenda add a statement on the government’s position on the conflict in Ukraine, with a commitment to meeting Nato obligations. The president has earlier said he would not approve any ministerial nominees who might doubt the nation's EU and Nato commitments, a requirement that the ultra-conservative party has said it will meet by proposing non-partisan experts.